0xE

What Does Error 0xE Mean

Error 0xE (sometimes displayed as -50 or 0xE0000000) is a communication failure code between an iOS device (iPhone, iPad) and a computer when using iTunes (Windows/macOS) or Finder (macOS Catalina 10.15+). The error occurs during:

• Device Restore.
• Firmware Update.
• Backup creation or Restore.
• Content synchronization.

A typical message is: "iPhone could not be restored. An unknown error occurred (0xE)." The problem is related to the interruption or inability to establish a stable USB data connection.

Common Causes

1. Faulty USB cable or port. Using a non-original, damaged cable, connecting through a USB hub, or a malfunctioning computer port.
2. Outdated or corrupted software. An old version of iTunes is installed on the computer, or the program itself is damaged. The device has an outdated version of iOS.
3. Conflict with system software. Antivirus, Windows/macOS firewall, or other system software blocks the iTunes/Finder connection to the device.
4. Issues with trusted computers. The trusted computers database in iOS is corrupted or outdated.
5. Insufficient space on the device. There is not enough free space on the device when attempting an update or backup.
6. Temporary Apple service outage. An extremely rare case, but possible if there are problems on Apple's servers during authentication.

Solutions

Solution 1: Basic Hardware Check and Reboot

This is the most common and effective fix. The issue is often physical connection-related or a temporary software glitch.

1. Use an original Apple cable. If unavailable, use an MFi-certified cable. Disconnect all USB hubs and connect the iPhone/iPad directly to the computer's port (preferably a rear port on a desktop PC, if possible).
2. Perform a force restart on the device:
   • On iPhone 8 and later / iPad without a Home button: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button, then the Volume Down button. Hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
   • On iPhone 7/7 Plus: Hold both the Volume Down button and the Side button simultaneously.
   • On iPhone 6s and earlier / iPad with a Home button: Hold both the Home button and the Side button simultaneously.
3. Restart iTunes (Windows) or Finder (macOS). Completely close the program via the menu or Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), then reopen it.
4. Connect the device to the computer and try repeating the operation (update/restore).

Solution 2: Update and Reinstall iTunes

Outdated or corrupted iTunes is a frequent cause of connection errors.

For Windows:

1. Open Control Panel → Programs and Features.
2. Find iTunes in the list, select it, and click "Uninstall".
3. Download the latest version of iTunes only from the official Apple website (not from the Microsoft Store).
4. Install the program following the instructions. A computer restart may be required for proper functionality.

For macOS (before Catalina):

1. Open the App Store → "Updates" tab. Install the iTunes update if available.
2. For a full reinstall, delete iTunes via Launchpad, then download it from Apple's website.

For macOS Catalina and later: iTunes is replaced by Finder. Ensure you have the latest macOS update installed via System Settings → Software Update.

After updating the computer's software, be sure to update iOS on the device (Settings → General → Software Update).

Solution 3: Reset Network Settings and Trusted Computers

This procedure clears cache and corrupted entries related to USB connection and authorization.

On iPhone/iPad:

1. Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset.
2. Select "Reset Network Settings". Enter the passcode if prompted. Confirm the reset. The device will reboot.
3. After rebooting, connect it to the computer.

On the computer (in iTunes/Finder):

1. Windows: In the iTunes menu, select "Edit" → "Reset Trusted Computers Warnings".
2. macOS: In the iTunes menu (or Finder, if you are in the device window), select "iTunes" → "Reset Trusted Computers Warnings".
3. Confirm the action. Now, when connecting the device, a "Trust This Computer?" prompt will appear on the iPhone/iPad screen. Tap "Trust" and enter the passcode if required.

Solution 4: Check Device Storage and Temporarily Disable Backup Encryption

Insufficient free space can cause failures during backup creation.

1. Check free space on the device: Settings → General → Device Name. Ensure at least as much free space as the current backup size (usually several GB) is available.
2. If space is low, delete unnecessary apps, photos, or videos.
3. When creating a backup in iTunes/Finder, temporarily disable the "Encrypt local backup" option (uncheck the box). Encryption can sometimes cause conflicts. After successfully creating an unencrypted backup, you can re-enable encryption by creating a new backup.

Solution 5: Use Recovery Mode (DFU)

If the previous steps didn't help, try a forced restore in DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode. This will completely erase all data on the device! Make an up-to-date iCloud backup if possible.

1. Connect the device to the computer.
2. Launch iTunes (Windows) or open Finder (macOS).
3. Put the device into DFU mode:
   • iPhone 8 and later / iPad without a Home button: Press and release the Volume Up button, then press and release the Volume Down button. Hold the Side button for 10 seconds. Without releasing the Side button, press and hold the Volume Down button for another 5 seconds. If the Apple logo appears, you did it too late—start over. The screen should remain black.
   • iPhone 7/7 Plus: Hold the Side button and Volume Down button simultaneously for 10 seconds. Without releasing the Volume Down button, release the Side button and hold the Volume Down button for another 5 seconds.
   • iPhone 6s and earlier / iPad with a Home button: Hold the Home button and the Side button simultaneously for 10 seconds. Without releasing the Home button, release the Side button and hold the Home button for another 5 seconds.
4. iTunes/Finder should detect the device in recovery mode and prompt you to "Restore iPhone". Click that button.
5. The program will download and install the latest firmware. The process takes 15-30 minutes. Do not disconnect the cable!

Prevention

• Use only original or MFi-certified cables. Cheap cables are often a source of data transfer problems.
• Connect directly to the computer's port, avoiding USB hubs, especially front-panel ports on desktop PCs.
• Regularly update iOS, macOS, and iTunes to the latest stable versions.
• Periodically reset network settings on the device if you notice intermittent connection issues with iTunes.
• Monitor free space on the device. Keep at least 15-20% free space for comfortable backup and update operations.
• Before major iOS updates, ensure you have the latest version of iTunes installed on your computer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

⚠️ Important: If error 0xE persists after all steps, especially after attempting a DFU restore, this may indicate a hardware malfunction in the device (e.g., damaged power controller or USB port). In this case, contact an Apple Authorized Service Provider.

Q: Can I fix error 0xE on Windows without reinstalling iTunes? A: Yes, often simply closing all iTunes processes (including Apple Mobile Device Service) via Task Manager, rebooting the computer, and reconnecting is sufficient.

Q: What to do if iTunes doesn't see the device at all during a restore attempt? A: Check if the computer itself recognizes the device (in "Disk Management" on Windows or "System Information" on macOS). If not—the issue is with drivers, the cable, or the port. Reinstall the Apple Mobile Device USB Driver via Device Manager.

Q: Error 0xE appeared after updating to iOS 18. What should I do? A: Update iTunes to the latest version. If you are on macOS, ensure the system itself is updated to a version that supports iOS 18 (usually the latest stable macOS release). Try using a different computer with up-to-date software.